MINNEAPOLIS -- We begin with a disclaimer: Adrian Peterson's 2,097-yard, MVP-winning season in 2012 was fueled by an otherworldly second half in which the running back racked up 1,322 yards in the final eight games, and 1,140 yards in the final seven. He went over 100 yards six times in the final seven games and over 150 yards five times in that span. His third-best game was 199 yards, and he posted 409 alone in two December meetings with the Green Bay Packers, whom Peterson faces this Sunday.
We say all this to bring some decorum to the following point: Through nine games in 2015, Peterson is ahead of where he was in 2012.